University City is home to the University Research Park (located on the other side of I-85), one of the largest research parks in the state, and the PNC Music Pavilion. IKEA opened a store in University City on February 18, 2009.[3] This is the first and only IKEA in the Carolinas.

The University City area of Charlotte contains large companies such as TIAA-CREF which help contribute to the city's prowess in the financial industry.

University City is also one of three Municipal Service Districts in Charlotte.[4]

University City has an estimated population of more than 155,000 within its unofficial borders, which includes parts of Charlotte, Concord and Harrisburg. Were it to be separated from the rest of Charlotte as its own city, University City would be North Carolina's tenth largest city.